Book Review: Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne

Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne by Cody Young

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Golden Bay Press (October 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0473194031
• ISBN-13: 978-0473194031

I’m seventeen and he’s twenty-one. That’s okay… isn’t it? He drives a Lamborghini. So what? He was born in 1462. Uh-oh. He seeks revenge, but there is one person standing in his way. Me. On a high school trip to London, Madison Lambourne meets seductive stranger Johnny De Vere, who believes he knows her already, and is torn between love and revenge. Eager to learn more about this beautiful, lonely young man, Madison agrees to go with him to a re-enactment at the Tower of London. Dressed as a highborn medieval lady in a black velvet gown, she accidentally slips through a doorway that leads to the past. Knowing she will not last long on the streets of medieval London, Johnny must follow her… with devastating consequences for them both. A wild time-travel adventure full of love, lies, mystery and betrayal.

Ok, first of all the cover is good but it’s not that eye-catching at all.. actually what lures me to request the book is it’s unique and interesting title. And the book really lived up to that expectation.

Vampires have been all over lately, but with “Johnny doesn’t drink champagne”, paranormal meets historical. It’s hard to imagine without expecting it to have characters which lived from the 15th-18th, but this book surprised me by adding another theme- time travel. So you get the picture, the heroine time-traveled back to medieval London and see the mysteries uncovered.

The book was well-researched with historical details of the princes, the tower, beheadings, and the early London. I’m always been a lover of historical, and I devoured this right til the end. It’s very descriptive that I feel like I’m in medieval times, the poverty, etc. The writing style is easy to follow and really sounds like Maddie (the 17-year-old heroine). Also the author manage to keep the reader’s waiting and thinking things out.

I love the characters, although I love to see more of Maddie’s bff. It seems she was there to faint and complain… anyway, I really loved all of the characters in the time-travel part (medieval time), both primary, antagonists, and even those ordinary people they met seemed to be unique and real to me.

There’s a lot of twist that somehow I am expecting when it happened but I haven’t really seen coming at all. I know I sound confusing but believe me, this book is hard to put down, once you start reading the unique love story, you can’t really stop until you know what happens.

The ending meanwhile really left me hanging..and I really wish I could read the second book now.. I’ll be looking forward to reading the next in the series. I would love to know what would happen to Maddie and Johnny. Romance, medieval London, mystery, vampires complete Johnny Drinks Champagne into another YA book females and males alike would read. Highly Recommended!!!




View all my reviews

Book Review: Laney

Laney by Joann I. Martin Sowles

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Brookehaven Publishing (December 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984486712
• ISBN-13: 978-0984486717

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life-that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he? As Laney's sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure-including a love she didn't know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver's love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn't so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver's most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn...

Okay, since almost all of the other reviewers have given Oliver’s identity, I might as well, laid it in the open. You get it, Oliver is a vampire. And this book reminded me a lot of Twilight, in a good way.

First and foremost what makes this different from YA paranormal books is because the protagonists are in college. Which makes them more mature and easier to relate to.

The first pages were a little bit slow, although I understand the author was giving us the background of the character and her surroundings. It was when mysteries are uncovered that the book get into action/interesting mode.

I like Ms. Sowles writing style, it was smooth and each chapter leaves you with another clue to the mystery that was the foundation of this whole book. It’s just that the line “Oliver is gorgeous” appearing multiple times in the book annoyed me a bit..:)… well, maybe some girls could not really stop if a boy proved to be really handsome but I’m the type where “Ok, I get it, he’s handsome, that’s it”. But maybe a little less on the swooning and gushing and on “Oliver’s gorgeous/handsome/beautiful/stunning” would really make this book great. And credit to the author, Oliver Knight is such an awesome name.

I really like Laney, she was not just a heroine in the book. She comes off strong and weak at the same time, with true feelings both with her friends and family. She has that personality which would make you love her in an instant. But then enter Oliver Knight, and it would seem another soul was in Laney’s body. By then I don’t understand Laney’s actions, sometimes it was really stupid of her to do that. But then I realize, meeting the boy of your dreams could easily make a teen go crazy, even a tamed one..lol..

Another thing I loved about this book, is that it doesn’t just dwell on romance, there’s a lot of action too. And yet it was not too much to override Laney and Oliver’s developing romance. Add with that humor and mystery.

The book ends with a lot of things going on, and questions unanswered. Seriously, I’m flocked with questions about Laney’s family. About the coven and even about each of the character’s life. The night I finished reading Laney, I sleep with questions at the back of my mind. I can’t wait for Book Two-Darkness which was fortunately out now on bookstores..:)

Laney is a book that would keep you alert or always on the edge of your seat anticipating what would happen next. It was quite a good book not just on YA romance but with mystery too that would make you love Vampire Paranormal in a new way. Highly recommended to Twilight and Vampire Diaries fans out there!

Cover: Don’t get me wrong I love it but it could have been better. With maybe a true model in the background, I don’t know. :D





View all my reviews

Book Review: Blood Feud

Blood Feud by Steven A. Roman

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: STARWARP CONCEPTS (June 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984174109
• ISBN-13: 978-0984174102

Book Depository  Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Goth girl Pandora Zwieback has a major problem: she’s just discovered that her New York City hometown is the stalking ground for every monster and ghoul out to raise a little hell (literally!) . . . BUT she’s apparently the only one who can see them. That means she can’t tell her friends or family about the dangers around them—not unless she wants to spend the rest of her life locked up in a psychiatric ward.

But before Pan has a chance to make sense of her increasingly weird life, she finds herself in the middle of a war among rival vampire clans. Elegant Gothic Lolitas from Japan on one side, silk-suited London vamps on the other, leather-clad hunters from Eastern Europe in the middle, and all after the same prize: a mysterious crate recently delivered to the horror-themed museum owned by Pan’s father.

What is the terrifying secret of Item #179? How do its contents tie into an incident from the blood-drenched past of Pan’s new friend, a 400-year-old, shape-shifting monster hunter named Annie? And, more important, will Pan survive long enough to get any answers?

First off, let’s talk about the cover. I know some people had some negative say on it, but hey the book is set to look like comics, and I for one loved the art. From Pandora’s hair to her nails, everything was well-thought of. It makes her unique from all other heroines out there. So if you’re not so into the cover, just don’t mind it but let yourself be transported into Pandora’s story.


I admit the book was a little bit slow at the beginning, but later I realized the author was just giving us a backstory so that we would not get confused, by the fast-paced story awaiting us in the next chapters. From there, there’s action almost everywhere.

I loved the pop-cultured dialogues, descriptions of New York City and the different monsters that lurks hidden behind the shadows and I especially loved Pan and her 400-year-old, shape-shifting monster hunter friend named Annie. Whoa!, yup she’s 400-year-old but still beautiful and hot and there’s more stuffs awaiting to be revealed in the book.

I really liked Pan, forget about her gothic look but this chic is someone that is easy to relate to and loved. She is the best personification of a good friend. I would never mind being friends with someone who has “monster-vision” if they are as good, loyal and helpful as Pan..:) Also her relationship with her parents and friends makes reading this book outstanding from others.

There are also those supporting characters who made a life of their own that I was instantly rooting for. And hey, there’s little on the romance department, but it’s not a letdown, since the book doesn’t need it anyway..:).. maybe more to see on romance with the next book. And there’s actually little violence, so safe for younger teens.

This is one of those books that didn’t really end up in a cliffhanger, in fact it gives nothing away; the ending was simply amazing. And for the first time, I realize that if the book is good enough, it doesn’t need to have a cliffhanger or a teaser at the end to make you buy the next one. Instead, it would make use of the story as what it is and let the reader decide whether he should forget about reading the book or beg for the next one. And “Blood Feud” is one of these books.

“Blood Feud” is packed with comedy, horror, romance, paranormal urban fantasy, gothic themes and lots of hunting adventure that would surely bury its story on your mind. One of the best books I’ve read in paranormal urban fantasy.

Entertaining, Engaging, full of action and twist, Blood Feud gives me an emotional roller coaster ride, that left me breathless and wanting for more. I could easily picture Blood Feud being turned into a TV series or even a movie..:D

Can’t wait for “Blood Reign”- the 2nd book in The Saga of Pandora Zwieback. Highly Recommended for mature teens and young adult readers!





View all my reviews

Book Review: Retribution

Retribution by Kelsey Miller

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Miller Publishing (October 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983960801
• ISBN-13: 978-0983960805

   Amazon

Not all Vampires drink blood...
As the reluctant wolf heir to the Lyall Family, Faolan is no stranger to killing Vampires. But even he is unprepared for the two Changelings who attack him one day during his patrol. The two young Vampires make no move to seriously harm Faolan, and despite his confusion at their odd behavior he manages to get away.
Shortly thereafter he is attacked by a mysterious Vampire. However, instead of killing Faolan, she coerces him into joining her quest to kill the elusive vampyre, Hunter.
But can Faolan trust her? And why is he forced from his wolf form whenever he fights this Vampire? Faolan will have to work quickly to discover her secrets before both of them are killed...

First and foremost, let’s talk about the cover. Although I really loved the artistic design, this book would be better with a more improved one, that would make it look really paranormal.

As the summary says, “Retribution” is about werewolves and vampires. I know a lot of teens out there are bored with these same themes, but believe me this book had taken a different level on this genre.

The plot was well-thought of and the writing keeps you hooked with the book. Most of the conflicts happen even before the main characters met, so it’s hard to tell what evil hides in their adventure and who’s really behind it.

The characters felt real as far as paranormal goes. Ms. Kelsey Miller did a wonderful job in showing as each of her characters distinct personalities, rather than tell. I also loved the poems as prologue and epilogue, behind the words lies so much of what the book contains.

I never felt bored even in just a second. There’s always action lurking around, lots of it and something real too that the story doesn’t feel force. There are surprises, twist and turns in the story that I never saw coming. One second you thought it was over, the next a series of another conspiracy and a greater conflict would show up, that would leave you wondering what would happen next?

Although, there’s just a bit of romance in this book, it was enough to give us break of the never-ending thrills and suspense that this book presents. But then, like any other teen, I would have want to see this romance blossom into something deeper in the next book, if ever there is, although I’m sure the author is working on it.

Speaking of a sequel, the author left us in a great cliff-hanger. It’s right when, I don’t want to put the book down but have too, because I’m on the last page. Can’t wait for the sequel to “Retribution”.
“Retribution” is one of the best books I’ve read concerning werewolves and vampires. I was thoroughly impressed and entertained whenever I turn the page. Friendship, love, trust, revenge, betrayal, myths and action, “Retribution” gives you a captivating, entertaining and refreshing story any paranormal enthusiast would surely enjoy

Check out my interview with Kelsey Miller!
View all my reviews

Amaranth

Amaranth by Rachael Wade

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Rabbit Hole Press; 1 edition (September 30, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984020802
• ISBN-13: 978-0984020805
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  

Knowledge changes everything…

Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to relocate and escape her abusive past. She didn’t expect to fall in love and plummet herself into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires.

Thanks to her deadly vampire ex-boyfriend, she’s confronted with decisions that not only threaten her life but the lives of her inhuman friends that she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of the ruler of Amaranth—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons.

Will she derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the very monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—the one she wanted so desperately in the first place? Or will she find a way to escape with her vampire love before it’s too late?

First and foremost, congrats to the book’s designer, it’s beautiful and eye-catching…(clap..clap…:D)

The storyline is interesting… especially Gavin’s middle name, Deveraux.. I love French… the first setting of the book too is breathtaking… where else would someone plot a romance story…---Paris…:D and of course Louisiana become vibrant and alive with the author’s description.

Another thing that made me curious, as to why the boys always bring them back before midnight…why, oh why?... you’ll find it out if you read the book…I just couldn’t give everything away…lol…

The book talked about what women constantly face especially in relationship, how some continually experience violence from their supposedly protectors and lovers. It’s nice that Camille somehow finds it in her heart that everything was too much and that she should stand for herself and leaves that guy.

It’s a different take on vampire stuffs..another conflict.. It seems vampires have other abilities too,,..they don’t only suck blood, also dreams, desire and hope too.. wow! Amaranth seems to be a wonderful place…and I can’t help but think about how Gavin and Camille end up, would they live as humans or as vampires…

I wish too that Gabe and Audrey would be expanded in the story.. or maybe that Ms. Wade could write their own story..(just me and my overly-reactive imaginings…lol..)

The first meeting of the characters are unforgettable… it’s simply a wonderful coincidence…lol.. The characters are lovable and real.. you could relate to them easily…

At first I think the story is slow-paced, but when it got to the 2nd up to the last part, I find myself engulfed with too much actions, revelations, and unconditional love the characters have for each other.

The end part of the book blow me away.. it’s too much..actions here and there…I have never been engrossed in a story and then it left me off the hook… OMG! What else could this book do to me..:D

Talk of a real cliffhanger….. I hate the last part, especially when it keeps telling me that I couldn’t stay put until I read the next book --The Gates lol… I’ll definitely be looking and begging for this one…. Highly recommended!





View all my reviews

Fangs Rule: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire

Fangs Rule: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire by Amy Mah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Reardon Publishing (March 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1874192480
• ISBN-13: 978-1874192480
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  

A self help guide by Amy Mah (Vampire) for teenage vampire girls, the guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.

Fang’s Rule is a teenage girls guide to being a Vampire , that said, this a guide from A-Z which is all about a vampire’s lifestyle, etc,.

I enjoyed this book a lot, especially nowadays when every talk in town, especially girl’s gossips consisted of vampires, romance and gothic, well, this a good take, anew taste of vampirism, since this is light and funny, and surely recommended for all ages, there’s no horrid nor goric thoughts in this.

The book is nice since it acts as a way of a teenage vampire girl to help her fellow vampires to cope with their surroundings, everything from fashion, food/blood, rank, covens, family, undead and even boyfriends, dates and romance are tackled in this cute book---a book any girl would want to have.

This guide is well written, it didn’t look like the usual printed books but rather as if it’s really a journal, but I have no trouble reading..:) with its conversational tone it was easy to follow.

Ms. Amy Mah has a wonderful sense of humor and this book is a masterpiece! There are lots of things in this guide that I have never heard of before. I thought I knew vampires!

In addition to good humor, which in every word made me laugh out loud plus a very gorgeous manga art by Heby Sim, layout and design was done by Nicholas Reardon this book is a must-have for every girl, or those who want to feel-like…:)

I really really love the drawings, vibrant and colorful, especially the cover, so Asian and spells dark..:) I read this in one sitting.

This book is either outrageously funny or awesomely funny, but I’ll stick to the latter.

Manga book lovers, vampire lovers, girlish, artist would surely enjoy this… all the while with many laughs throughout the awesome artwork pages. I never thought being a vampire could be this fun!

Try it!

View all my reviews

Unwelcome

Disclaimer: Don’t read this, if you haven’t read the first book. :)

Unwelcome (Archangel Academy #2) 

• Author: Michael Griffo
• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Original edition (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758253397
• ISBN-13: 978-0758253392
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Archangel Academy is more than a school to Michael Howard. Within its majestic buildings and serene English grounds, he's found friends, new love, and a place that feels more like home than Nebraska ever did. But the most important gift of Archangel Academy is immortality. . .

Life as a just-made vampire is challenging for Michael, even with Ronan, an experienced vamp, to guide him. Michael's abilities are still raw and unpredictable. To add to the turmoil, the ancient feud between rival vampire species is sending ripples of discord through the school. And beneath the new headmaster's charismatic front lies a powerful and very personal agenda.

Yet the mysteries lurking around the Academy pale in comparison to the secrets emerging from Michael's past. And choosing the wrong person to trust—or to love—could lead to an eternity of regret. . .

One drop

Two drops

Three drops

Four

Water is mixed

With blood once more

Shadows and light

on a crimson stain

will the sun prevail?

Or will darkness reign

As expected, :), this is the poem symbolizing the story of Unwelcome, the 2^nd Archangel Academy Novel by Mr. Griffo.

In this book, Michael is now a water-vamp and he will experience changes both physically and emotionally, that most of the time, he and Ronan argued. He discovered the dark past of his mother’s death and the true identity of his father.

Saiorse, Ronan’s sister is another character added to the already complicated family-line of Ronan. She is special in her own way and an important figure in the lives of the water-vamps. The story itself would unravel her true identity.

In the first book, Ciaran’s identity and past was a mystery to me, and although some of it was explained or we’re given glimpses to what happened in the second, I guess it’s not really that clear, and of course, there comes Edwige’s past, which is not clear also. But maybe it was just a tease, and these parts will be explained in the third book.

Of all the characters, I love Ronan the most, he is an ideal figure of a boyfriend, though I hate the fact that he keeps things to himself, thinking that he’s protecting others, but they would later find out and lead to complications. He is handsome, caring, thoughtful, gentleman, wise, and understanding. No matter what Michael does, he still cares for him and understands. He isn’t perfect, there are a lot of flaws in his characteristics, but that makes him human ,..lol, and therefore easy to comprehend.

This book is filled with lots of revelations from the past, identities, character’s significance in the story and shocking outcomes. A lot of characters from the first book had landed to different situations in the second, it is unimaginable, as well as maybe the right thing for them. And of course, new characters emerge, and new answers are given so that new questions may arise.

I just hope that the love story between Imogene and Penry, Phaedra and Frits could have ended differently.. :(. They were 2 cute couple.

The book may look too long to read, but the events in the story are continuous and short. There was never a dull part in the story, right amounts of twist and turns make it hard to put the book down. Mr. Griffo writes with vivid descriptions and well-chosen words to better emphasize the feelings and thoughts of the characters.

I will be forever twined in the love story of Michael and Ronan, the First and the Other, whom despite everything, stays strong.

“Forever Beautiful, Forever Mine”

A really great book!

UNNATURAL

Title: Unnatural (Archangel Academy, #1)
Author: Michael Griffo
Release: March 1, 2011

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758253389
• ISBN-13: 978-0758253385

In the town of Eden in northwestern England stands the exclusive boarding school known as Archangel Academy. Ancient and imposing, it’s a place filled with secrets. Just like its students…

For Michael Howard, being plucked from his Nebraska hometown and sent thousands of miles away is as close as he’s ever come to a miracle. In Weeping Water, he felt trapped, alone. At Archangel Academy, Michael belongs. And in Ciaran, Penry, and especially Ciaran’s enigmatic half-brother Ronan, Michael finds friendship deeper than he’s ever known.

But Michael’s only beginning to understand what makes the Academy so special. Ronan is a vampire—part of a hybrid clan who are outcasts even among other vampires. Within the Academy’s confines exists a ruthless world of deadly rivalries and shifting alliances, of clandestine love and forbidden temptations. And soon Michael will confront the destiny that brought him here—and a danger more powerful than he can imagine…

 

one drop

two drops

three drops

four

floodgates open

the waters pour

cool and

warm and

clean and

red

am I alive?

or am I dead?

These were the first words in the book that quite pique my curiosity, simple yet, striking. But soon I found these words scattered all over the novel and just really says that it's quite significant and hints what the story is all about.

First I would like to talk about the cover, it's wonderful! At first glance, it may look like it's a love triangle, a blonde and a brunette, fighting over a redhead! (chuckling), but then Lesson no. 1 NOTHING IS EVER WHAT IT SEEMS, and so it seems that behind the gorgeous cover, more complicated situations lies and that's enough to make you grab this book and settle for a late night read.

This book is about vampires ( one of the fiction genres I enjoyed the most), and this story, though I find shocking onc3 I realized the truth behind the covers, overwhelms me. I was plunged down deep in a kind of love story others might not and will never comprehend. I was even hoping that as the story unfolds, that somehow, they'll change and be normal boys again. But Mr. Griffo held on to what he'd already written from the start, and I unexpectedly find myself loving every words he wrote. 

Not that the lover's situation isn't absurd, it still is, but I find myself sympathizing with them and linking my thoughts and apprehensions too. It felt like, I was there with them, experiencing the same ecstasy, fear and actions that was all throughout the novel.

I daresay that the characters develop slowly but with such impact that you can't let the book down and always ask yourself who is and who's not. The author had adequately sprinkled the right amount of mystery to each of his characters that made you want to find out and know them more. There were some questions that hadn't still been unanswered, but maybe that's the use of the second book, right?!

This book was definitely phenomenal and would hit to young adult readers out there, and would make you out of your comfort zone,but in a good way. This one was filled with a different kind of romance, mystery, love and just plain reality--that anyone could relate into.

I hope this isn't just nonsense and that I didn't blab too much, because I don't want to spoil a good read. Overall, this is an exciting, engaging and unique book!